Etiology and workup of fevers in gynecologic oncology patients

Stephen A. McCartney, Michelle C. Sabo, L. Stewart Massad, Andrea R. Hagemann, David G. Mutch, Matthew A. Powell, Premal H. Thaker, Akiva P. Novetsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify the characteristics of febrile gynecologic oncology patients and to evaluate the utility of common diagnostic procedures used to assess the etiologies of their fevers. Methods/Materials: Retrospective data were collected for 200 consecutive patients admitted to the gynecologic oncology service at 1 institution between January 2008 and December 2012 for a diagnosis of fever. Data were collected using contingency tables, and the X2 test was used as appropriate. Results: Of the patients admitted for evaluation of fever, 142 (71%) of 200 had a documented fever during hospitalization. The most common etiologies of fever in this population were urinary tract infections (28%) and bloodstream infections (27%), whereas 24% of those admitted for fever did not have a source identified. Abdominal/pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans established the etiology of fever in 53 (60%) of the 89 patients tested, whereas chest x-ray and chest CT were diagnostic for 6% and 21%, respectively. Blood and urine cultures were diagnostic in 29% and 32% of cases, respectively. Patients admitted within 30 days of surgery had a higher percentage of wound infections (38% vs 10%, P < 0.001) as compared with those admitted for more than 30 days after surgery. Conclusions: The initial evaluation of the febrile gynecologic oncology patient without obvious source by history and examination should include urinalysis with reflex culture and blood cultures. Abdominopelvic and chest CT may be useful when fever persists and initial assessment is unrevealing. Chest x-ray is commonly done but infrequently diagnostic.Wound exploration may be important in patients with fevers for more than 30 days after surgery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)950-955
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer
Volume24
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cervical caner
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Fever
  • Neutropenia
  • Ovarian cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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